1. SENSORY ALTERATIONS
NUR116

2. senses Give meaning and order to events occurring in environment
Stimuli allows person to learn about environment and interact with other humans
Necessary for healthy functioning and normal development

3. senses
Hearing
Touch
Sight
Smell
Taste
Kinesthetic sense
Stereonosis

4. Sensory alterations May be present at birth or aquired
May result from medical or surgical treatment
People may change behaviour in adaptive or maladaptive ways

5. Sensory deprivation Reduced sensory input Restrictive environments
Elimination of meaning of input
Effects include reduced capacity to learn, disorientation, bizarre thinking, anxiety, lability, panic, increased need for physical stimulation, decrease in spatial awareness, reduced color perception

6. Sensory overload
Tolerance varies with fatigue, attitude, emotional and physical well-being
Constant pain
“ICU psychosis”

7. Visual deficits Presbyopia Cataract Dry eyes Glaucoma
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular degeneration

8. Hearing deficits
Presbycusis
Cerumen accumulation

9. QUICK!!!!
What nursing diagnoses apply to a person with age-related vision and hearing sensory deficits?

10. Balance deficit
Dizziness and disequilibrium, usually resulting in vestibular dysfunction

11. Taste deficit
Xerostomia- dry mouth

12. Neurological Deficits
Peripheral neuropathy
Stroke- affects coordination and balance. Loss of sensation in affected extremities

13. Assessment of sensory alterations
Sensory alteration history
Mental status
Physical assessment (table 49-2)
Observe interaction with others
Observe self-care, ADLs
Use of assistive device

14. Safety Uneven walkways Phone cords or electric cords Area rugs
Bathrooms without grab bars
Unmarked water faucets
Unlit stairways
Unmarked food

15. Nursing considerations
Multiple avenues of education and communication
Light or label equipment
Assess communication needs
Assess value of glasses, hearing aids
Assess support system
Provide adaptive ADL aids

16. QUICK!!!
Identify one physiological and one psychosocial nursing diagnosis for a person with sensory alterations